Breast cancer among patients with breast mass attending national Hadhramout centre of health laboratories, Yemen

ABSTRACT

To describe the current scope of breast cancer in Hadhramout in Yemen and to identify the common type of breast cancer in our people. This study included all patients with breast lesions who attended National Hadhramout Centre of Health Laboratories with breast mass, during a period of four years [January 2006-December 2009]. Patients were assessed clinically, radiologically and/or fine needle aspiration cytology then referred to the laboratory center to confirm the diagnosis by histopathology. Fine needle aspiration cytology was introduced as a preoperative diagnostic tool in the investigations of palpable breast lumps. The data were collected from the referral sheets and the patients themselves. Data were analyzed using a computer SPSS program. A total of 635 cases of breast lumps were diagnosed. Malignant lesions comprising 142 [22.4%] of all cases. 137 female and 5 male patients. It was common in the age group 40-49 [29.6%]. The mean age 48 [SD=15.4]. The most common type of malignancy is invasive ductal carcinoma which represents 86.6% [n=123] of all malignant cases. The left breast affected in 76[53.5%] cases, the right in 63[44.4%] while in 2% both breasts were affected Breast carcinoma cases were less frequent in comparison with other cancers but more common in the 40-49 years age group. Our patients have no access to screening programs. Cancer screening helps detect breast cancer at an early stage, and this would improve the outcome. In view of these findings we propose the implementation of breast screening programs.